Shalom All,

As we begin this new year, I’d like to return to my “Reel Time with Rabbi Todd,” class for Adult Education. Last year we had some wonderful discussions about God and reality, the role of memory, and even the way we suffer. We watched a diverse group of movies, from silly funny to super serious.

The movies for this spring will be no less diverse covering themes about birthrights, simplicity and cleverness, God’s words and God’s image, and even the trials and tests God sends at us. Classes will again be on the last Tuesday of the month, January through May, though there will be an opportunity to view the movie in full prior to class. This year we will be watching and discussing, in order, The Descendants, Forrest Gump, The King’s Speech, Exam, and we’ll end with The Hunger Games.

Class will be on the last Tuesday of the month at Temple at 7:00 pm, January 27, February 24, March 31, April 28, and May 26.

Even if you’ve seen these movies in the past, I am going to ask that you rewatch them before our class. You can watch them on your own, or you can join me at my home for a screening of the film on the Saturday before class. So, 7:00 pm at my house, January 24, February 21, March 28, April 25, and May 23. Popcorn and snacks provided, we’ll likely drink too, but absolutely no talking (about the film anyway) until Tuesday, I’ll want us to have time to think about it.

I truly hope you can join me for these sessions. Hollywood, if you didn’t know, was mostly built by Jews. It should be no surprise to any of us, then, that we can find examples of Judaism, Jewish thought, and Jewish values embedded in so much of what comes out of it.

I look forward to seeing you at the movies!

Happy New Year everyone.

Rabbi Todd